Chelsea will play against Los Angeles FC in our opening match at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup on Monday, June 16, after the Major League Soccer side dispatched Liga MX’s Club América, 2-1 in extra-time tonight at BMO Stadium. LAFC, who got to play this game in their home stadium, thus officially replace Club León, who were removed from the competition on account of their shared ownership structure with Club Pachuca. León had appealed that decision but CAS sided with FIFA.
LAFC were the losing finalists against León in the 2023 CONCACAF Champions League, and were granted the opportunity to replace them by beating a team that also had not actually met any of FIFA’s original qualification requirements (i.e. winning the primary continental competition at some point in the last four years). I’m sure FIFA were hoping for Club América to win: they would’ve brought a few more eyeballs and fans to a tournament that seems to be lacking a bit in both.
In any case, tonight’s “Play-In” went into extra-time after a late equalizer from LAFC, and wouldn’t you know it, a certain Olivier Giroud popped in the 115th minute to then help decide it for The Black and Gold, setting up Dénis Bouanga for the winning goal. Giroud has not had a great time of it in LA since joining last summer from AC Milan: he has just 4 goals in 32 appearances in all competitions and this was his second assist. But even at age 38, he still might have a few clutch contributions left in his legs and his “meaty” forehead.
Anyway, see you soon, OG!